An inquiry led by two subcommittees from the House has uncovered numerous missteps by federal law enforcement regarding explosives planted near party headquarters in Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2021, according to The Washington Examiner.
While discovering evidence and initial attempts to identify a suspect showed promise, efforts stalled as leads dried up, and the individual responsible for the explosives remains unidentified.
In the early hours of January 6, explosive devices were secretly placed near the headquarters of both major political parties in Washington, D.C.
The investigation, conducted by Representatives Barry Loudermilk of Alabama and Thomas Massie of Kentucky, aimed to shed light on the security errors that allowed these bomb threats to occur.
The investigation uncovered and reported six significant security oversights by federal law enforcement agencies. Criticism was levied against the Secret Service and the U.S. Capitol Police for their handling of the threat these explosive devices presented to prominent figures, including Vice President Kamala Harris and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The explosive devices, equipped with timers of sixty minutes, were discovered the day the certification of the presidential election took place.
Local law enforcement and security teams were blindsided when the bombs were left near key political venues, despite rigorous security protocols supposedly being in place.
In the detailed 81-page report released on Thursday, it was noted that the initial discovery of the devices did not occur until over 16 hours after they were planted. One device near the headquarters of the Republican National Committee was found by a woman who was doing her laundry late in the morning of January 6.
Subsequently, a similar device was found near the Democratic National Committee headquarters while Vice President-elect Kamala Harris was in the vicinity.
The investigation noted that at least ten Secret Service agents, along with two canine units, were within feet of the explosive device near the Democratic headquarters but failed to detect danger prior to Harris's arrival.
These findings provoked severe criticism, leading to statements within the investigation's report that condemned the actions of key law enforcement agencies as a “series of egregious safety and security failures.” The overarching concern was that these failures posed a profound risk not only to elected leaders but also to civilians caught in or near the ramifications of potential detonation.
The motorcade of Nancy Pelosi also risked substantial danger as it passed dangerously close to the location of one of the explosives. Law enforcement's failure to promptly identify and address these threats left many questions unanswered about the security procedures in place.
Initially, after the discovery of the devices, the FBI made earnest efforts to pursue leads and locate the perpetrator of the bombing attempt. Despite some initial progress, by the end of February 2021, the FBI had diverted resources from this case as tangible leads dwindled and no credible suspect emerged.
In this lull, various conspiracy theories began to circulate, suggesting that the devices may have been part of a deliberate distraction on law enforcement's part to divert emergency resources away from the Capitol. However, no evidence was found by the investigation to support such claims.
A particular grievance highlighted within the report was with regards to the FBI’s terminology, particularly the classification of the pipe bombs as “viable.” Investigative authorities admonished the agency for not clarifying what it meant by its use of the term, emphasizing that clarity is of utmost importance in similar situations.
Bomb technicians traditionally avoid vague language, opting to categorize items as either functional devices or hoaxes. The report chided the FBI for not adhering to this clarity which could have aided in public understanding and relief.
The continued mystery surrounding the suspect who placed these bombs further adds to the challenges faced. The report reinstates the need for increased vigilance and coordination among law enforcement entities to avoid future failures.
